VIDEO

Clashes continue in row over Indonesia's Century Bank bailout

Anti-government protesters scuffled for a second day with police outside the Indonesian parliament on Wednesday, as inside lawmakers argued over the merits of a controversial bank bailout.

Almost 400 people rallied outside the building to protest the government's 715 million US dollars rescue package for Indonesia's Bank Century, a decision which has hurt the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who was re-elected in July 2009.

As certain section of the crowd grew violent police used riot shields to protect themselves from projectiles and cordoned off parliament with rolls of razor wire. They then returned fire with tear gas and water cannons.

Demonstrators then hung a banner across the front gates of the parliament compound reading: "Replace the regime, replace the system without SBY," referring to Yudhoyono.

They later burned a banner with a picture of the president.

The protests came as a parliamentary committee inside the building delivered a report on its inquiry into the bank bailout, after the main audit agency alleged irregularities.

The inquiry, launched in November 2009, examined the role played by Yudhoyono's political party and government leaders.

The committee had differing opinions, offering up two potential conclusions.

Some members thought the bailout was warranted, others that it amounted to abuse of power by authorities.

Lawmakers were yet to vote on the two options.

The vote will be largely symbolic, since the final decision on any charges lies with the police and an independent anti-corruption commission.

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